1.
visiting a grave; paying respects at a grave
The act of visiting a family grave to clean it, offer flowers, incense, and food, and pray for the deceased. An important cultural practice in Japan.
お盆にお墓参りに行く。
I visit the grave during Obon.
祖母のお墓参りに家族で行ってきた。
We went as a family to visit grandmother's grave.
毎年春と秋のお彼岸には、実家に帰ってお墓参りをするようにしている。
Every year during the spring and autumn equinox weeks, I make it a point to go back home and visit the graves.
CULTURE:
お墓参り is an important Japanese custom. Families typically visit graves during お盆 (mid-August), お彼岸 (equinox weeks in March and September), and 命日 (death anniversaries). The visit involves cleaning the gravestone, offering 線香 (incense), 花 (flowers), and sometimes food or drink, and praying.
FORMS:
The plain form 墓参り (without お) is also used but sounds less polite. 墓参 is a more formal reading used in written contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お墓参りに行く (to go visit a grave)
- お墓参りをする (to visit a grave)